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Animal Experiments

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeHome OfficeTabled Answered 12 February 2025UIN 29598

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the 154,904 animals involved in non-compliance incidents in British laboratories in 2023.

Answered by Dan Jarvis

The Home Office takes non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 very seriously. The numbers of non-compliance cases vary in any given year. The total number of non-compliance cases reduced from 175 to 169 cases from 2022-23. Between these same years there was also a 48% reduction in adverse welfare cases.

The Home Office regulator reviews each non-compliance case and provides details in its annual report (www.gov.uk/government/publications/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-report-2023). Sanctions are applied in cases of non-compliance to reduce the risk of future non-compliance. Data regarding non-compliances is used to inform the risk-based audit programme.

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